January and now February, parts of the country have faced extreme cold, prompting many meteorologists to note, “This air is much colder than average.”
But how do we define “average,” and have those averages—or normals—changed over time?
What You Need To Know
Climatologists use 30-year periods to establish baselines for “climate normals”
Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.
FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events
Climatologists use 30-year periods to smooth out year-to-year variability and establish baselines, or “climate normals,” for comparison. For example, a high of 45 degrees in January in Missouri might be five degrees above the long-term average.
Why 30 years?
Jared Rennie, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Centers for Environmental Information, explains that the 30-year standard better reflects the changing climate and its influence on day-to-day weather.
He adds that NOAA also explores other base periods to meet user needs. In addition to the 1991–2020 normals released a few years ago, NOAA provides a 15-year baseline (2006–2020).
These baselines are updated every ten years to capture ongoing changes—so data from 1980 to 2010 will differ from values averaged over 1990–2020.
Differences in the data
There are regional differences when comparing the most recent datasets (1980–2010 vs. 1990–2020). Annual precipitation has increased 5–10% in the central and eastern U.S. and decreased 5–10% in the Southwest.
Temperatures are generally warmer by 0.3 to 1.0°F across most areas, with the north-central U.S. slightly cooler.
(Courtesy: NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information)
More frequent 100-year events
It seems like every few weeks we hear, “This is a once in a 100-year event.” Why are we seeing more of these “once in a lifetime events?”
“Scientifically, this usually refers to the percent chance an event happens in any given year,” he stressed.
Adding, “With extreme rainfall events, NOAA uses data to identify areas that exceeded the 1% or 0.1% chance of occurring in a given year (known as a 1-in-100-year event and 1-in-1000-year event, respectively).”
He says that as for the frequency of these types of events, it depends on the specific event. “When it comes to large-scale events like droughts and heat, we have a better understanding of how these are trending over time.”
“For example, the science tells us that temperatures are increasing, especially at nighttime, which is affecting the number of heat events in the 21st century.”
Smaller-scale events, such as tornadoes and certain floods, are harder to quantify, and ongoing research aims to improve understanding.
Weather vulnerability
How do population densities impact weather vulnerability? “There is lots of research in the socioeconomic space that is attempting to identify not only populations affected by weather and climate extremes, but also their risk.”
FEMA is working to provide information for communities most at risk from weather events, like heat waves, cold outbreaks, hurricanes and tornadoes.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Guion Bluford, the first African American to travel into space, became one of the space community’s most influential figures.
What You Need To Know
Guy Bluford was the first African American to fly in space
He started his career as a pilot in the Air Force
He became an astronaut for NASA in 1979
Bluford developed a fascination with flight at a young age, and by high school he knew he wanted to become an aeronautical engineer.
Early life
After earning his college degree, Bluford joined the U.S. Air Force and received his pilot wings in Jan. 1966 at the early age of 24.
He soon became an instructor pilot and later entered the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, where he earned a master’s degree in 1974 and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in 1978.
After his 1974 graduation, he served at the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, initially as a deputy and eventually as branch chief of the Aerodynamics and Airframe Branch.These achievements led to his selection for the NASA astronaut program in 1978.
It’s safe to say he never lost sight of his childhood dreams.
Becoming a legend
The crew of Space Shuttle 8 shown in front of launch pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida on August 5, 1983, with the tip of the orbiter Challenger showing in the background. Ready for a August 30 launch are left to right: Mission Specialists Dale Gardner, Guion Bluford, Dr. Bill Thornton, pilot Dan Brandenstein and commander Richard Truly. The crew was going through STS-8 countdown test on Thursday, and are wearing blue suits with pilot Brandenstein wearing a red tee shirt underneath. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
After a year of training, Bluford became an official astronaut in Aug. 1979.
Four years later, on Aug. 30, 1983, he flew his first mission aboard STS-8. That inaugural flight was brief but notable, pioneering techniques for nighttime operations and deploying the Indian National Satellite.
After 145 hours in space, the crew returned to Edwards Air Force Base on Sept. 5.
Over the next 10 years, Bluford became the second, third and fourth African American in space, logging over 688 hours.
After NASA
In 1993, Bluford left NASA and retired from the Air Force to become the Vice President and General Manager of the Engineering Services Division of NYMA Inc., in Greenbelt, Maryland.
After several more high-end jobs, he went on to become the President of Aerospace Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, a job that he still holds today.
Bluford never stopped learning or pursuing the next level of his career. A brilliant figure in the space and engineering communities, he became a leader and role model for many African Americans.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Kennedi Desylvia of Charlotte scratched off a $2 million prize on the $20 Diamonds Deluxe ticket she bought at Byrum’s Food Mart on Oakdale Road, according to a lottery news release Thursday.
Annuity or lump sum?
Desylvia beat odds of 1 in 1.5 million, according to the Diamonds Deluxe game page.
She had the choice of a $100,000 annuity over 20 years or a $1.2 million lump sum. Choosing the lump sum, she took home $864,126 after taxes, officials said.
When she claimed her prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, Desylvia didn’t say what she’ll do with her big win, officials said. She didn’t return a phone call from The Charlotte Observer on Friday.
A woman hit a jackpot on a Diamonds Deluxe scratch-off ticket she bought at a Charlotte snack shop, lottery officials said. N.C. Education Lottery
$2,000,000 Diamonds Deluxe debuted in December 2023 with four $2 million top prizes and eight $100,000 prizes. Two $2 million prizes and one $100,000 prize remain to be claimed, officials said.
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
People with measles may have infected others at a gas station, butcher shop, two grocers and a hospital emergency room in Mecklenburg and two surrounding counties, health officials said.
Saturday, Mecklenburg County Public Health issued a measles exposure notice for Vista Auction, 2500 Sardis Road, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 29-30 and the Lidl grocery store at 9318 Monroe Road from 2 to 4:30 p.m Jan 30.
If you were there during those hours, monitor for symptoms and learn more about what to do after a potential measles exposure, health officials said.
“These locations were not the source of infection and are now safe to visit,” according to a department news release. “They are cooperating with public health on the investigation.”
The exposure “isn’t linked to any cases in Mecklenburg County — it is linked to a case from another jurisdiction,” officials said.
Mecklenburg has had three reported measles cases, according to the department.
“If you see symptoms of measles, call your doctor, clinic or emergency department right away,” officials said. “It’s important to call a healthcare facility before you go to get instructions to prevent further spread of measles.”
Visitors to the QuikTrip at 5650 W. Hwy 74 between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease, officials said in a news release.
Officials encouraged visitors to the QuikTrip during those hours to call Union County Public Health at 704-296-4420 for guidance.
“At this time, there are no confirmed cases of measles in Union County,” according to the county news release.
Any visitors to those places during those hours should call the Lincoln County Health Department at 980-429-6289 for guidance.
“Laboratory testing is not recommended for people who were exposed unless they develop symptoms of measles, including high fever and rash,” health officials said. “Symptoms of measles can start 7 to 21 days after being exposed.”
The three Lincoln County locations “are considered safe to visit and pose no ongoing risk to the public,” officials said in a news release.
North Carolina has had 17 measles cases since December, including one hospitalization, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
A nurse readies a syringe during a vaccination. Matt Stone/The Louisville Courier Journal Matt Stone/The Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
How to recognize measles
Measles symptoms to watch for include:
High fevers
Runny nose
Cough
Red, watery eyes
White spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of mouth
A red, raised and blotchy rash that starts on the face and progresses down the body
This story was originally published February 7, 2026 at 11:55 AM.
Another weekend will bring bitter cold to parts of the country—this time across the Ohio River Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Wind chills could plunge to as much as 35 degrees below zero in some locations.
What You Need To Know
Cold Weather Warnings are in place tonight through Sunday afternoon
Wind chills could dip as low as 30 degrees below zero
Temperatures are expected to moderate into next week
Cold Weather Alerts
Arctic air will pour into the region through the weekend. Area-wide temperatures will dip near zero, and gusty winds could drive wind chills down to 30 below.
Cold Weather Advisories are in place for the Lakes and Mountains region of Maine, Ohio and eastern Michigan, with Extreme Cold Warnings set to go into effect for New York State and western Massachusetts.
Cold weather alerts will remain in effect through Sunday afternoon.
A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when dangerously cold wind chills can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes. An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when frostbite and hypothermia are likely if skin is left unprotected.
Frigid wind chills
The cold will settle in Saturday night and remain locked in the Northeast and New England through Sunday. A gradual warmup will begin on Monday.
Several of these areas were hit with heavy snow two weeks ago, and much of it remains. Additional snow this weekend will only build bigger piles.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A community organization is helping grieving children and young adults succeed.
What You Need To Know
Connecting the Gap is a nonprofit organization that provides therapy, mentorship and educational resources
The group is celebrating a milestone after a participant of the program graduated college
Christopher Daylin Carter lost his mom and grandmother at age 17 but has persevered thanks to the support of the group
Through partnerships and supports, Connecting the Gap is providing therapy, mentorship and educational resources.
The group recently reached a milestone when Christopher Daylin Carter graduated from East Carolina University.
“After hearing people be proud of me, I kind of just start to resonate with me, like this is a big deal. You pushed through and you made it,” Carter said.
His mentor, Quaneka Falls, attended the ceremony and cheered for him as he crossed the stage.
“Just to see how much throughout the years Christopher has grown so much,” Falls said.
Carter said he appreciates the support of his late mother and grandmother.
“I think it’s closest I can really get to spending time with them and really having them with me throughout my accomplishments, whatever I do in my life,” Carter said.
He lost both of them in a car crash in Greensboro in 2020 after a driver hit them head-on. Carter, who was 17 at the time, survived.
“If it was something that was powerful enough to take lives, how did I continue?” Carter said.
His family rallied around him, and he got support from Connecting the Gap.
Since 2020, the Charlotte nonprofit has helped around 60 children and young adults who lost a parent around the state. The group links them to resources to ensure they are successful post-graduation while they tackle grief.
“I feel like the support is important because when kids feel that you really, genuinely care about them, that gives them motivation to keep going,” Falls said.
The mission is personal for Falls because she lost her mother when she was 14.
“She had me and she had my brother, and we took two different paths, and I feel like because I’ve had the resources, I had community, I had mentors in my life, I was still able to be successful,” she said.
Carter said after his mom and grandmother died, the organization supported him right away.
“I was still kind of in shock. I was still kind of going through the motions, but just having that support there was definitely helpful, and just another person that’s looking for my success,” he said.
The support stayed with him through college.
“Therapy and just my freshman year or even pretty much every year up until I moved out, college, [Falls] was helping me get anything that I need from my dorms,” Carter said.
He’s the first student from the program to graduate college, an accomplishment that exemplifies their motto.
“I’ve firsthand witnessed Christopher grieve, believe and succeed,” Falls said.
He credits part of his success to Connecting the Gap and his family.
“It’s amazing. I feel like God put a lot of people up in amazing ways, and I feel like without the support system that I have now, most likely wouldn’t be where I’m at,” Carter said.
Thanks to his uncle, Carter said he graduated debt-free from ECU with a degree in psychology and nutrition.
In previous years, the organization received funding from United Way and Canopy Housing Foundation.
This year, they are hoping to secure grant funding and donations to continue their mission.
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.
No. 14 North Carolina will hosts the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils this Saturday after Caleb Wilson scored 22 points in North Carolina’s 87-77 win against the Syracuse Orange.
Saturday’s matchup is the first this season for the two squads.
Here’s some highlights about the upcoming rivalry matchup.
Duke Blue Devils (21-1, 10-0 ACC) at North Carolina Tar Heels (18-4, 6-3 ACC)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Saturday, 6:30 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE:
Blue Devils -5.5; over/under is 150.5
BOTTOM LINE:
No. 14 North Carolina plays No. 4 Duke after Caleb Wilson scored 22 points in North Carolina’s 87-77 victory over the Syracuse Orange
The Tar Heels are 13-0 in home games. North Carolina ranks fourth in the ACC in rebounding with 36.7 rebounds. Wilson leads the Tar Heels with 9.8 boards
The Blue Devils are 10-0 in ACC play. Duke is 1-1 in games decided by less than 4 points
North Carolina scores 83.1 points, 19.5 more per game than the 63.6 Duke gives up. Duke averages 8.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 more makes per game than North Carolina allows
The Tar Heels and Blue Devils face off Saturday for the first time in ACC play this season
TOP PERFORMERS:
Luka Bogavac is shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc with 1.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Tar Heels, while averaging 10 points. Wilson is shooting 61.9% and averaging 20.7 points over the past 10 games
Cameron Boozer is averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Blue Devils. Isaiah Evans is averaging 17 points over the past 10 games
LAST 10 GAMES:
Tar Heels: 7-3, averaging 87.0 points, 34.1 rebounds, 17.4 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.8 points per game
Blue Devils: 10-0, averaging 80.5 points, 34.6 rebounds, 15.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.8 points
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headlined the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class featuring five players but not six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick.
What You Need To Know
Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headlined the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class featuring five players but not six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick
Brees and Fitzgerald both made it in their first year of eligibility in results announced at NFL Honors
Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri made it in their second seasons of eligibility, while Roger Craig was the lone pick among seniors, coaches and contributors
But the class is also noteworthy for Belichick’s absence as at least 11 of the 50 voters opted against giving him a vote despite a career with 333 wins and the most Super Bowl titles of any head coach
Brees and Fitzgerald both made it in their first year of eligibility in results announced at NFL Honors on Thursday night after prolific careers. Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri made it in their second seasons of eligibility, while Roger Craig was the lone pick among seniors, coaches and contributors.
“One of the coolest moments was getting up on that stage with all the other Hall of Famers,” Fitzgerald said. “That moment kind of crystallized it for me.”
But the class is also noteworthy for Belichick’s absence as at least 11 of the 50 voters opted against giving him a vote despite a career with 333 wins in the regular season and playoffs and the most Super Bowl titles of any head coach. A report last week that Belichick fell short in his first year of eligibility was met with widespread criticism of both the voters and the process for choosing Hall of Famers.
“His stats speak for themselves,” said Vinatieri, who played six years for Belichick.
“I thought he’d have a real good chance to be up there as well. The people who voted made their votes and I think he’ll be up here one day.”
The man who hired Belichick in New England to set the stage for the Patriots dynasty also fell short, with owner Robert Kraft failing to get enough votes.
This is the second straight year with a smaller class after only four people made it last year as new rule changes have made it harder to get into the Hall. There had been at least seven people inducted in the previous 12 classes before last year.
That contributed to the snub for Belichick and Kraft, who were grouped with Craig and two other players — Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood — who have been retired for at least 25 seasons. The voters picked three of the five candidates with the highest vote-getter and anyone else above 80% getting the honor.
Craig, who was in his 28th year of eligibility, was the only one of those five to make it. Craig was the first player ever to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, which happened in 1985, and he led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988 when he helped San Francisco win the Super Bowl.
Craig also was part of the title-winning teams for the 49ers in the 1984 and 1989 seasons. His 410 yards from scrimmage in those Super Bowl wins are the third-most ever behind Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Franco Harris.
The four modern-era candidates all overlapped for several years, waging many battles against each other.
“Very early on you realized there was something special and unique about these guys,” Brees said.
Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, making the game-winning field goals in the first two Super Bowl victories during New England’s dynasty with Belichick and Kraft in charge. He joined Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen as the only players in the Hall who were primarily kickers in their careers.
Vinatieri helped launch the run with one of the game’s greatest kicks — a 45-yarder in the snow to force overtime in the “Tuck Rule” game against the Raiders in the 2001 divisional round. He made the game-winning kick in OT to win that game and then hit a 48-yarder on the final play of a 20-17 win in the Super Bowl against the Rams.
Vinatieri is the NFL’s career leader in points (2,673) and made field goals (599) over a 24-year career with New England and Indianapolis. He also leads all players with 56 field goals and 238 points in the postseason.
Brees is second all time to Tom Brady with 80,358 yards passing and 571 touchdown passes. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers before signing as a free agent with the Saints in 2006, where his career took off as he helped lift a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
Brees delivered to New Orleans its first Super Bowl title following the 2009 season, when he won MVP of the game after beating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Brees made the Pro Bowl 13 times in his career, won AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, was an All-Pro in 2006 and was a second-team All-Pro four times.
Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third overall in 2004. His 1,432 catches and 17,492 yards receiving in 17 seasons rank second all time to Jerry Rice.
Fitzgerald topped 1,000 yards receiving nine times — tied for the fourth-most ever — and helped the Cardinals reach their only Super Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season records that postseason with 546 yards receiving and seven TD catches, including a go-ahead 64-yard score with 2:37 to play in the Super Bowl before Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.
Kuechly’s career was brief but impactful. The first-round pick by Carolina in 2012 was an All-Pro five times, with seven Pro Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Over his eight-year career, Kuechly led all linebackers in the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).
Voters reduced the list of 15 finalists in the modern era category to 10 and then seven before voting for five to make it. The top three vote-getters and anyone else above 80% got into the Hall.
Offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Marshal Yanda, and edge rusher Terrell Suggs made it to the final seven in the modern-era category and will automatically be finalists again next year.
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From Bruno Mars and Zach Bryan, we break down the biggest shows — ones everyone will be talking about — set to come to Charlotte in 2026.
MATIAS J. OCNER
mocner@miamiherald.com
You know the drill: Either you or one of your friends finds out that a concert right in your collective wheelhouse is coming to a big stage in Charlotte, and someone starts a group chat.
“Did you see so-and-so is gonna play at such-and-such venue? What do you think — are we going?”
And if the answer is yes, that thread quickly turns into a full-blown plan involving dinner, drinks, Ubers and Venmo payments.
To be clear: We’re not breaking any news here — these shows have all been announced. What we’ve done instead is put together a carefully curated breakdown of the Charlotte-bound stadium spectacles, nostalgia-fueled reunions and TikTok favorites that will matter most in 2026.
The ‘all of your friends will be there’ shows
Zach Bryan — Saturday, April 18 at Bank of America Stadium: The “Something in the Orange” singer-songwriter-superstar is at the absolute peak of his powers. It’ll be fascinating to watch him adapt his DIY brand of country and Americana — which has always felt tailor-made for large nightclubs and small concert halls — for 70,000-plus fans. The last time he was in Charlotte? July 2021, when he played a benefit concert at The Fillmore that featured a guest appearance by then-Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey as his pianist.
Zach Bryan Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Bruno Mars — Wednesday, April 29 at Bank of America Stadium: With no Taylor Swift stop on the calendar, this is about the biggest tour Charlotte could have hoped for in 2026. Few pop stars are as obsessed with live performance — from his band’s horn section to the throwback showmanship — and he’s one of the few artists here with a recent Top 10 hit (“I Just Might”). His last Charlotte appearance came in 2017, when he packed Spectrum Center with a hit-after-hit set that felt closer to a Vegas revue than a typical arena show.
Bruno Mars Live Nation
Post Malone & Jelly Roll — Monday, June 9 at Bank of America Stadium: Cowboy boots and face tattoos will be on proud display at this co-headlining mega-show, which teams up two of the most successful artists blending country, hip-hop and crossover pop. The tour was announced just hours after the 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony, where Post Malone performed a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne alongside Slash and Chad Smith, and Jelly Roll walked away with three trophies — a reminder of just how far both artists have climbed.
Post Malone Benjamin Robson Charlotte
Megan Moroney — Monday, July 14 at Spectrum Center: In just a few years, she’s gone from viral breakout to one of country’s most dependable young headliners. The 28-year-old’s first show in our uptown arena will come just 10 months after she sold out Bojangles Coliseum. As with that show, expect coordinated outfits, pre-concert photo shoots and plenty of “We’ve-been-here-since-Day-One” energy. (Some fans still talk about her early club shows like they were secret discoveries.) Just be aware that this show is sold out, too, and secondhand prices are rising steadily.
Megan Moroney Mason Goodson
Ed Sheeran — Friday, Oct. 17 at Bank of America Stadium: One of pop’s most recognizable stars also remains one of the few modern artists who can fill a stadium without relying on massive production or backup performers. Armed with little more than a loop pedal, a guitar and a seemingly endless catalog of hits — “Shape of You,” “Perfect,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Bad Habits,” “Photograph,” “Shivers,” “Castle on the Hill,” to name a few — he turns his shows into giant sing-a-longs that feel closer to open-mic nights than blockbuster tours.
Ed Sheeran Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
For the TikTok and Gen Z crowds
bbno$ — Sunday, March 8 at The Fillmore Charlotte: The Canadian rapper has never been a major force on U.S. radio, but he’s become a cult hero in rooms like this thanks to fun, rowdy live shows built around viral, self-aware pop-rap hits like “Lalala,” “Edamame” and “it boy” — plus his absurdly funny cookbook giveaways. This sold-out Fillmore stop should be one of the loudest, loosest and most meme-able nights of the year.
TWICE — Monday, March 31 at Spectrum Center: For the uninitiated, this is one of K-pop’s most reliable hit machines, a group with a catalog that spans bubbly pop anthems (“Cheer Up,” “TT,” “Fancy”) and slicker recent singles (“The Feels,” “Talk That Talk”). But the nine-member South Korean girl group may be most familiar to some viewers through the animated Netflix hit movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” which features a remixed end-credits version of “Takedown” performed by members Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung.
TWICE JYP Entertainment
Zara Larsson — Wednesday, April 4 at The Fillmore Charlotte: The veteran-but-still-young (she’s 27) Swedish dance-pop star spent much of last year opening arena shows for Tate McRae’s mega-tour. Now Larsson gets her own chance to shine, doing so in a much clubbier setting built around dazzling, brightly colored outfits and eye-popping lighting. She’s never played a show in the Carolinas before — and it’s been sold out for months.
Zara Larsson Christina House TNS
Peso Pluma & Tito Double P — Friday, April 25 at Truliant Amphitheater: The “Dinastía Tour” arrives in Charlotte at a moment when regional Mexican music has fully crossed into the mainstream, with Peso Pluma leading the charge. Blending corridos — traditional narrative ballads — with trap and pop hooks, he has played a central role in turning what was once a niche genre into a streaming and touring powerhouse, while Tito Double P represents the next wave rising alongside him. (Dinastía, for the record, is Spanish for “dynasty.”)
Peso Pluma Eric Paul Zamora ezamora@fresnobee.com
Yungblud — Wednesday, June 4 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Blending pop-punk, emo and confessional alt-rock, the UK-born singer has become a spokesperson of sorts for fans who grew up online and found connection through music — a role underscored by the Grammy recognition he’s earned in recent years. His 2024 single “Zombie,” which featured actress Florence Pugh in its remarkable music video, heralded a more vulnerable turn in his songwriting and is likely to serve as the emotional closer to his set.
Yungblud Angela Weiss AFP/TNS
Summer Walker — Tuesday, June 10 at Spectrum Center: The only previous time the Atlanta-born R&B singer has performed in Charlotte was in 2018, when she played The Fillmore after starting that year working as a house cleaner. This show — on one of the city’s biggest stages — marks a dramatic leap for Walker, who taught herself guitar by watching YouTube tutorials before breaking through with emotional hits like “Girls Need Love,” “Playing Games” and “Session 32,” and becoming one of modern R&B’s most influential voices.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise — Thursday, Sept. 18 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Few modern indie bands have built as devoted a following as RKS, which formed — and got its famously random name — while its members were students at Appalachian State in Boone. The upper level of Spectrum Center was curtained off for their home-state stop here in 2024, but they should easily pack out this amphitheater with 5,000 fans who’ve fawned over the group’s blend of folk, alternative and pop-rock since the early days.
Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle & Stephanie Mills — Friday, Feb. 13 at Spectrum Center: “The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage” is as much a summit meeting of soul and R&B royalty as it is a concert tour. Their catalogs are full of classics, from Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia” and Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody” to LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew” and Mills’s “Never Knew Love Like This Before” — songs that helped define multiple decades of music in those genres. Knight and LaBelle will both be 82 this year, a reminder of their incredible longevity and staying power.
Gladys Knight Derek Blanks KansasCity
Bow Wow, B2K, Jeremih, Waka Flocka Flame & more — Friday, March 7 at Spectrum Center: The ‘Boys 4 Life Tour’ features an alarmingly stacked bill that also includes Yung Joc, Crime Mob, Dem Franchize Boyz and Pretty Ricky, making for an impressive time capsule for fans who recall when ringtone rap, BET countdowns and burned CDs ruled. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Amerie is not a boy, but she’ll join the party as the lone female voice on a lineup built almost entirely on throwback hits.
Journey — Wednesday, May 20 at Spectrum Center: This celebration of the 1970s and ’80s rock band’s imprint on modern pop culture could conceivably mark its final Charlotte stop, as the group — fronted by Filipino singer Arnel Pineda — is marketing its 2026 “Final Frontier Tour” as a farewell to the road. But even if this really is the last time it tours live, songs like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms” and “Faithfully” will almost certainly keep showing up at weddings, sporting events and karaoke nights for years to come.
Journey Erik Kabik Photography/ erikkabi Erik Kabik Photography
AC/DC — Friday, July 11, at Bank of America Stadium: For those about to rock, we salute you — with an onslaught of rock anthems that should rattle teeth, if not the foundations of uptown’s skyscrapers. It’s a long-awaited return, with December 2008 representing their last time in Charlotte. We’re just as eager as anyone to hear live versions of “Thunderstruck,” “Highway to Hell,” “Back in Black” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” — and to see if lead guitarist Angus Young, who’ll be 71, can still pull off his classic duckwalk.
AC/DC Rachel Parker SPECIAL/RACHEL PARKER
Ne-Yo & Akon — Saturday, July 12, at Truliant Amphitheater: R&B throwback tours will continue to give classic-rock nostalgia a run for its money throughout the summer of 2026, and this double bill taps directly into the mid-2000s era when the genre dominated pop radio. On this night, that means slow jams and club bangers from Ne-Yo’s run of immaculately crafted heartbreak anthems (“So Sick,” “Closer,” “Miss Independent”) and Akon’s West African-influenced pop-rap hooks (“Smack That,” “Lonely,” “Don’t Matter”).
Ne-Yo Nathaniel Levine nlevine@sacbee.com
John Mellencamp — Thursday, July 30 at Truliant Amphitheater: The 74-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer behind ’80s staples like “Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses” and “Small Town” is returning for what stands to be his biggest local show in more than two decades. (His last three appearances here — in 2015, 2019 and 2023 — were all staged at the 2,455-seat Ovens Auditorium.) Mellencamp has promised a career-spanning show that will dig deeper for rarities than usual, including songs he hasn’t played live in years.
John Mellencamp Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Rush — Thursday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 22 at Spectrum Center: This is a notable outing for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, who are making their first Charlotte appearance since October 2012. It also marks their first tour since the death of longtime drummer Neil Peart in 2020. Understandably, fans will be eager to see how new drummer Anika Nilles fills in for one of rock’s most revered musicians on songs like “Tom Sawyer” and “Subdivisions.” They’ll also be ready to settle in: Rush shows famously stretch close to three hours.
Wildcard shows worth circling
Los Ángeles Azules — Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Bojangles Coliseum: They’re one of the most iconic Mexican cumbia groups of all time, with nearly 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a catalog of cross-generational staples that includes “Cómo Te Voy a Olvidar,” “El Listón de Tu Pelo” and “17 Años.” They’ve also never played a show in the Carolinas before, meaning thousands of fans in Charlotte will get their first chance to take part in the joyful, spontaneous dance parties that are likely to break out all over the venue.
Los Ángeles Azules Cortesía EFE/Seitrack
Eric Church — Friday, April 4 at Spectrum Center: Another act with a strong connection to North Carolina, the country star grew up in Caldwell County and has never been shy about repping his home state on and off the stage. That bond was on full display in 2024, when he co-headlined the massive Concert for Carolina benefit at Bank of America Stadium, where he shined — often with just his acoustic guitar — during stripped-down performances of “Springsteen,” “Record Year” and “Drink in My Hand” in front of 80,000 fans.
Eric Church Khadejeh Nikouyeh knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Cardi B — Saturday, April 12 at Spectrum Center: While her longtime rival Nicki Minaj has drifted into the political arena, Cardi remains firmly committed to the provocative, high-energy hip-hop lane she’s settled into over the past decade. Now a mother of four — she welcomed her latest child in November with boyfriend Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots — she recently previewed her live show on “Saturday Night Live,” delivering personal, confident and carefully staged performances of “Bodega Baddie” and “ErrTime.”
Cardi B SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP AFP via Getty Images/TNS
Mt. Joy — Thursday, April 17 at Truliant Amphitheater: The beloved modern-indie band’s sunny blend of folk, rock and pop makes the leap into full-fledged amphitheater-headliner territory almost exactly a year after a sellout show at the smaller Skyla, where the five-piece played two sets and an encore across more than 2½ sprawling hours. It’s wild to consider how far the group has come since filling Charlotte’s tiny Visulite Theatre in 2018 with Day One fans — and the soaring chorus of its anthemic “Astrovan” echoing through the room.
Mt. Joy Darin Oswald doswald@idahostatesman.com
Sting — Sunday, May 18 at Truliant Amphitheater: A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer for his work as a founding member of The Police, he remains one of the rare rock stars whose solo career carries as much weight as his groundbreaking band’s legacy. This show — his first in Charlotte since playing here with The Police in 2007 — will bridge both of those identities. In some ways, it also serves as a makeup for his canceled co-headlining stadium gig with Billy Joel, scrapped due to the “Piano Man’s” health issues.
Sting Lezlie Sterling lsterling@sacbee.com
Khalid — Sunday, June 15 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Khalid’s rise happened so quickly in the late 2010s that it’s easy to forget how long he’s already been in the spotlight — and that he became synonymous with the streaming era’s softer, more introspective sound with songs like “Talk” and “Young Dumb & Broke.” This stop is his first in Charlotte since 2018, and while the venue may look like a step down from the much larger Spectrum Center, fans may also see it as a chance to catch him in a more intimate setting again.
Khalid Xavier Tianyang Wang xwang@mcclatchy.com
Five Finger Death Punch — Thursday, Oct. 16 at Truliant Amphitheater: No act on this list will deliver a heavier, higher-adrenaline live show than this one, which cranks out a blend of groove metal, hard rock and arena-ready hooks that has made it one of the genre’s most reliable touring forces. Every time they come to Charlotte, they draw one of the most intense crowds of the year, with songs like “Jekyll and Hyde” and “Wrong Side of Heaven” igniting full-throttle mosh pits. At the moment, it also serves as Truliant’s season finale.
Five Finger Death Punch TRAVIS SHINN PHOTOGRAPHY Travis Shinn Photography
Théoden Janes has spent nearly 20 years covering entertainment and pop culture for the Observer. He also thrives on telling emotive long-form stories about extraordinary Charlotteans and — as a veteran of three dozen marathons and two Ironman triathlons — occasionally writes about endurance and other sports. Support my work with a digital subscription
Another weekend will bring snow and bitter cold to parts of the country—this time across the Ohio River Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Wind chills could plunge to 35 degrees below zero.
What You Need To Know
Cold Weather Warnings are in place Saturday night through Sunday afternoon
Wind chills could dip as low as 30 degrees below zero
Snowfall totals will be around 1 to 3 inches with the potential for higher amounts in southern Maine and eastern Massachusetts
Snow chances
A cold front will bring snow to New York and New England from tonight through tomorrow. Totals will generally be light—around 1 to 3 inches—but a unique phenomenon known as ocean-effect snow could enhance accumulations in eastern Massachusetts and southern Maine (including York County).
A heavy band may develop there, with localized totals exceeding 6 inches. If this occurs, the most likely timing is early Saturday afternoon.
Here’s one model’s timing on the snow.
Cold Weather Alerts
Arctic air will move in behind the snow starting Saturday night. Area-wide temperatures will dip near zero, and gusty winds could drive wind chills down to 30 below.
Cold Weather Advisories are in place for the Lakes and Mountains region of Maine, Ohio and eastern Michigan, with Extreme Cold Warnings set to go into effect for New York State and western Massachusetts.
Cold weather alerts will remain in effect through Sunday afternoon.
A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when dangerously cold wind chills can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes. An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when frostbite and hypothermia are likely if skin is left unprotected.
Frigid wind chills
The cold will settle in Saturday night and remain locked in the Northeast and New England through Sunday. A gradual warmup will begin on Monday.
Several of these areas were hit with heavy snow two weeks ago, and much of it remains. Additional snow this weekend will only build bigger piles.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The Boston Celtics traded forward Xavier Tillman Sr. and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, ESPN reported, moments before the NBA trade deadline passed for good.
The Hornets acquired Tillman and $3.5 million in cash considerations, pulling Boston away from the luxury tax, similar to the deal that brought guard Tyus Jones in and out of Charlotte from Orlando on Wednesday.
Tillman had been seeing declining minutes since his championship-winning stint with the Celtics in 2024, seeing more than 15 minutes on the floor just five times. Through the 2025-26 season, Tillman averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in 14 appearances.
Tillman was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft day. Tillman played three full seasons in Memphis, along with one full season in Boston.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Many school districts in North Carolina are back in person after disruptions due to back-to-back winter storms.
What You Need To Know
Schools took different approaches, however all of them used remote learning days at one point or another
At Gaston County Schools, packets were used for remote learning, and at Mountain Island Charter School, students used an online platform
Gaston County Schools closed and had remote learning days, and Mountain Island Charter only had remote learning days
Schools took different approaches, however all of them used remote learning days at one point or another.
Gaston County Schools, for example, had two snow days and four remote learning days in the past two weeks due to the ice storm and snowstorm.
Forestview High School English and AP psychology teacher Richard Morris, who is Gaston County Schools’ new teacher of the year, welcomed students back in person Thursday after a two-hour delay.
He asked students briefly about whether they enjoyed the snow before discussing the remote learning packet students were expected to complete.
“Before they left, I wanted to be sure they understood exactly what the text was going to be about and the expectations I had for them while they were out,” Morris said.
He said the secondary English curriculum coordinator sent packets for students in order for them not to fall behind and continue being engaged while out of school.
Morris has been trying to make the most of the school closures.
“I love being in the classroom with students, but we live on this earth where weather happens, and it can be a disruption. It’s a little frustrating, but it’s the reality of the situation. I was very responsive to both parents and students on email, making sure that everyone is on the same page,” Morris said.
Forestview science and biology teacher John Ramos, who is the district’s teacher of the year, said his concern is the continuation of learning.
“I don’t want to experience another learning loss like what we had in COVID back then. And, I’m just glad that, you know, we are very proactive as a school district and our administrators are really sending information in advance,” Ramos said.
Mountain Island Charter School, which is also located in Gaston County, is a public charter school and also relied on remote learning. The school didn’t use any snow days but instead opted for using its five allotted remote learning days.
Mountain Island Charter School sixth to 12th grade principal Jacob Wilson said the school serves students from eight counties and any closure decisions come after analyzing a variety of factors. This includes looking into the decisions made by traditional public schools, monitoring weather and road conditions and assessing areas around the campus.
“Student safety is always going to be No. 1 but beyond that, we want to make sure that our students are continuing learning and so we’re always going to want to push that ball forward. Anytime we have a chance to make it to where students can learn, we’re going to do that.” Wilson said.
Assistant Principal of Curriculum Instruction Renee Goodwin said she was in contact with teachers during remote learning to receive feedback.
“I talked to them over the phone and asked them how things are going, where we should go when we get back, because we are in the middle of like testing season as well. So we had to make some adjustments for students to make sure that we get the best results for the testing,” Goodwin said.
Students at Mountain Island Charter used an online platform with instructional activities to review concepts and independent learning.
“Nothing replaces a teacher in the classroom, however the extension activities that our teachers provide here actually go beyond what the teacher is teaching through multiple platforms that we have,” Goodwin said.
Back at Forestview, Morris and Ramos are getting students back in the swing of things.
“Our main goal is to ensure that the routine will be in place again,” Ramos said.
The intent behind it is to move forward.
“We’re going to briefly go over the packet, make sure that everything’s complete so they get that attendance for the day, get that classwork grade for the day, but then we’re just going to keep on rolling like we never missed a beat,” Morris said.
Both Gaston County Schools and Mountain Island Charter school officials said the weather-related closures will not prompt any makeup days or any schedule changes.
Meanwhile, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is modifying its calendar turning Feb. 11 and April 29 from early release days into full instructional days.
“By supporting the superintendent’s recommendation to convert the remaining early release days to full instructional days, we’re choosing to exceed state requirements because it’s what best serves students,” CMS Board of Education Chair Stephanie Sneed said.
Under state law, schools are only allowed to declare five remote learning days in a calendar year for emergency situations and severe weather.
However, according to the Department of Public Instruction, some schools have a waiver because they have been closed at least eight days during any four of the last 10 years due to weather.
This year, schools with a waiver include Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Jackson, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Watauga and Yancey counties. These schools are allowed to open a week early to have more makeup days and can use 15 remote instruction days or 90 hours.
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“The operation resulted in the apprehension of several criminal illegal aliens with extensive criminal records, an outcome I applaud,” Tillis wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “At the same time, multiple public reports allege that U.S. citizens were detained, subject to force, and experienced damage to personal property.”
The longtime Republican senator, set to retire at the end of his term, has been increasingly critical of Noem since masked federal agents shot and killed two American citizens in Minnesota last month.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) speaks during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on March 21, 2022 in Washington. Jasper Colt USA TODAY
“If these accounts are inaccurate, North Carolinians would welcome that clarification,” the senator wrote. “If they are accurate, then they represent a breakdown in safeguards that demands corrective action. Either way, the absence of clear, encounter-level data has made objective evaluation difficult and unnecessarily eroded public confidence.”
For months, The Charlotte Observer has asked DHS for a full list of people arrested in the operation. DHS has not provided that information. The Department of Homeland Security has not released the names and information of most people arrested or taken by federal police in Charlotte, making it unknown to the public if they had criminal records or not.
Tillis asked for Noem to produce information as well, including the total number of people arrested in Operation Charlotte’s Web and the total number of times agents used force on American citizens.
Noem will testify before the Senate’s judiciary committee on March 3.
Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
This story was originally published February 4, 2026 at 3:34 PM.
Ryan Oehrli writes about criminal justice for The Charlotte Observer. His reporting has delved into police misconduct, jail and prison deaths, the state’s pardon system and more. He was also part of a team of Pulitzer finalists who covered Hurricane Helene. A North Carolina native, he grew up in Beaufort County.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seventeen additional former N.C. State male athletes have joined a state lawsuit alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack’s former director of sports medicine, pushing the total number to 31 in a case that began with a federal lawsuit from a single athlete more than three years ago.
What You Need To Know
Seventeen additional former N.C. State male athletes have joined a state lawsuit alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack’s former director of sports medicine
That pushes the total number to 31 in a case that began with a federal lawsuit from a single athlete more than three years ago
The complaint filed in Wake County Superior Court late last week expands a case alleging years of misconduct by Robert L. Murphy Jr.
Allegations include improper touching of the genitals during massages and intrusive observation while collecting urine samples during drug testing
The complaint filed in Wake County Superior Court late last week expands a case alleging years of misconduct by Robert L. Murphy Jr., including improper touching of the genitals during massages and intrusive observation while collecting urine samples during drug testing.
All but two of the 31 athletes are “John Doe” plaintiffs to protect anonymity, while two former men’s soccer players are named.
One is Benjamin Locke, who filed the original complaint in August 2022. The other is one of two athletes who filed their own federal lawsuits in February 2023 and April 2023. The Associated Press typically doesn’t identify those who say they have been sexually assaulted or abused unless the person has spoken publicly about it, which Locke has done.
Durham-based attorney Kerry Sutton, who has represented plaintiffs in each lawsuit, filed to dismiss those pending Title IX lawsuits before moving the case to state-level jurisdiction in September. That complaint added 11 new athletes to bring the total to 14 — and now the case has more than doubled with the latest filing.
“While it is never good news to hear there are other men that have been suffering in silence due to what they experienced, I am encouraged by the bravery, vulnerability, and willingness of these men to come forward against injustice,” Locke said Monday in a statement released by Sutton.
In a separate statement, Sutton said: “I hate to say it, but I expect to hear from more men in coming days who were sexually harassed or assaulted by Mr. Murphy.”
Seth Blum, a Raleigh-based attorney who has represented Murphy, didn’t immediately return an email from The Associated Press on Monday. He has forcefully defended Murphy in past comments, saying he has been falsely accused and there has yet to be “one scrap of credible evidence he assaulted anyone.”
“Put simply, Robert Murphy did not do this,” Blum said in a statement after the September lawsuit.
Murphy, at N.C. State from 2012-22, is among nine defendants named individually. Others are school officials accused of negligence in oversight roles.
The lawsuits outline similar allegations of Murphy’s conduct and the school’s response in failing to stop it, even when concerns reached senior levels of the athletic department. The latest filing describes the 31 former athletes as “victims of sexual assaults, sexual exploitation and sexual harassment” while saying Murphy “violated his position of trust to abuse rather than treat.”
The allegations from 17 new plaintiffs largely centered on Murphy’s handling and observation of drug testing. Those allegations centered on athletes being instructed to raise their shirt above their chest and lower their shorts or pants to their ankles while Murphy stared at their genitals from a few feet away and sometimes from within the same bathroom stall.
One athlete described feeling “uncomfortable and vulnerable,” while another was left “feeling humiliated,” according to the lawsuit. In another case, an athlete was so uncomfortable that he couldn’t urinate “even after consuming three Diet Cokes” and had return a day later “to repeat the same invasive process,” the lawsuit said.
Roughly a half-dozen of the 17 also alleged Murphy improperly touched their genitals during massage or other rehabilitation treatments amid injuries. One athlete dealing with an Achilles tendon injury to his lower leg alleged Murphy began massage treatments but gradually moved higher until reaching the athlete’s groin; that athlete asked Murphy to stop and refused to let Murphy treat him again, according to the complaint.
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Welcome to Sex, Sweat and Sanity, CharlotteFive’s Q&A column about all things intimacy and perimenopause, answered by our experts.
Rachel Murray is a nurse practitioner who specializes in menopause and sexual medicine. Liz Mallers is a certified sexologist who specializes in intimacy and pleasure. She owns Liz Mallers Sexology.
I am 45 years old and beginning to experience night sweats, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. My symptoms have been affecting my intimate life. Can you speak to this?
Rachel:
This is a very common experience for women in their 40s and is often an early sign of perimenopause, the transition phase leading up to menopause. During this time, estrogen levels fluctuate unpredictably rather than steadily declining, which can trigger symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
Hot flashes and night sweats — often referred to as vasomotor symptoms — can range from mildly bothersome to significantly disruptive. They may interfere with sleep, concentration, mood, overall quality of life, and yes! Intimacy! If a woman is not feeling well, then this can certainly impact her desire.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can also affect vaginal health, causing dryness, which leads to painful intimacy or lack of sensation with intimacy. This can be quite uncomfortable and women may suffer for years prior to getting help.
There are effective, well-studied treatment options for hot flashes, night sweats and dryness, including both hormonal and non-hormonal therapies. Care can be individualized based on symptom burden, medical history and personal preferences, with the goal of improving sleep, comfort, and daily functioning.
Perimenopause symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats can affect your quality of life. monkeybusinessimages Getty Images
Open conversation is key. Early evaluation allows symptoms to be addressed proactively rather than reactively. Women do not need to “push through” disrupted sleep or persistent heat episodes as a normal or unavoidable part of aging. They do not need to “push through” dryness and pain.
If hot flashes or night sweats are affecting your sleep, energy or sense of well-being, it’s worth discussing with a knowledgeable clinician. Relief is possible, and care can be tailored long before symptoms become overwhelming.
Liz:
Feeling uncomfortably hot and sweaty doesn’t exactly lead to hot and steamy sex. Pair that with vaginal dryness, and you likely aren’t feeling too motivated to start (or continue) playtime with your partner. It’s important to clue your partner in to the symptoms you’re experiencing. While it may seem obvious that you’re struggling to feel comfortable on the day-to-day, your partner may not fully connect the dots to how this might affect your intimacy.
Invite your partner to have a conversation with you about how your current symptoms are affecting your intimacy. Consider the barriers it puts on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Do you worry that your partner might get frustrated if you have to stop in the heat of the moment because of, well, too much heat? Speak to that. Is the interrupted sleep from night sweats causing more stress and therefore lowering your sex drive? Speak to that, as well. Talking with your partner will help them support you better, which will ultimately keep your general intimacy connected.
In terms of vaginal dryness, lean on the help of store-bought lube. Without proper lubrication, not only can intercourse be painful, but it puts your tissue at a much higher risk of tearing due to the dry friction. These microtears make you more susceptible to bleeding/spotting, pain and infection. A body-safe lubricant is your best bet when your natural lubrication isn’t readily available.
Some people are hesitant to purchase lube because they don’t know where to start. It’s true that the lube market is oversaturated with tons of options, ranging in ingredients, price and even flavors. Here is a brief breakdown:
Silicone-based lube is a crowd favorite with its thick viscosity and long-lasting nature. The only caveat: don’t use it with silicone toys. Over time, that silicone will start to break down and get sticky.
Water-based lube is great for those using lube with silicone toys and is generally the easiest to clean up. This type of lube will need more frequent reapplication since it will evaporate more quickly than the others.
Oil-based lube typically lasts the longest, but be aware that oil traps bacteria. If you have a sensitive vagina or are prone to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, avoid oil-based lubes.
As a general rule of thumb, avoid any lubes that are flavored or dyed. I highly recommend the trusted brands Uberlube (silicone-based) or Good Clean Love as a starting point.
The bottom line
If you are experiencing night sweats, hot flashes or vaginal dryness, it’s never too early to speak with a qualified clinician for early intervention. Have intentional conversations with your partner about how your symptoms are affecting you, and grab yourself a bottle of lube to make intimate moments more comfortable and desirable. And of course, reach out to professionals like Rachel and Liz for extra support when needed.
Liz Mallers, left, a certified sexologist, and Rachel Murray, a nurse practitioner specializing in menopause and sexual medicine, are the experts behind CharlotteFive’s new “Sex, Sweat and Sanity” Q&A column, offering advice on intimacy during perimenopause. Tonya Russ Price CharlotteFive
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Icy roads. Snow plows. Closed businesses. It’s a frozen sight Kannapolis hasn’t seen since 2004.
Despite the record-breaking snow, one supermarket stayed open.
What You Need To Know
Kannapolis experienced a historic snowfall not seen since 2004
Many businesses closed, but the Cancun Supermarket remained open
Owner Esther Carbajal drove two hours from Charlotte to keep the store running at the peak of the snow
Imported goods and high demand made it difficult to keep shelves stocked
Esther Carbajal, owner of Cancun Supermarket, says there’s a reason she wouldn’t close.
“I know they need this kind of store open because we sell a lot for food for, a lot of things,” she said. “They need it.”
Carbajal lives in Charlotte and travels to Kannapolis each day. When the snow was at its peak Saturday, her normal 30-minute commute turned into two hours.
“I live in Charlotte, but I come here every day last week, too, and this week,” she said. “It’s been hard but you have to do it.”
As one of the few places open, she says it’s been difficult to keep shelves stocked. Limes and peppers ran low. Some bins sat empty.
Much of the store’s food is imported from Mexico, adding another layer of uncertainty during winter weather disruptions.
“The bread, you see? Every day we stock, but the people take,” she said. “Tortillas stocked every day.”
For Carbajal, staying open isn’t just about business. It’s about service.
“So happy. I stay here for the people. I don’t know, I never think about it. But when I stay here, I do everything for everybody,” she said.
While much of Kannapolis waited for roads to thaw, one set of doors remained open, lights on, register ringing and shelves refilled as quickly as they emptied, serving a community determined to weather the storm together.
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After initially calling the charges a political attack, Brown — who was the first formerly incarcerated person to serve on the council — agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, according to a signed plea agreement filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina last week. She was convicted of fraud in her 20s and gave birth to one of her daughters while in prison.
Brown and her two daughters were indicted in federal court in May. They are accused of misusing COVID-relief funds on Louis Vuitton items and Brown’s lavish birthday party, which featured a horse-drawn carriage and throne. All three are charged with wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. Each charge carries up to 20 years in prison.
Brown posted a Facebook Live video after signing the plea deal last week, saying: “Whoever thought I was going to prison, you’re stupid,” Observer news partner WSOC-TV reported.
Federal prosecutors have said they are OK with probation for Brown, but a judge will decide what her sentence is if the plea deal is accepted.
A book signing before court
On Saturday, two days before Brown is expected to enter her plea in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler, she will hold a book signing for “Unbreakable” at Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Brown released the book in January. It opens with her learning about the fraud charges when FBI agents knocked on her door last year, she told The Charlotte Observer. In late January, she posted several videos on Facebook promoting its release.
Julia Coin covers courts, legal issues, police and public safety around Charlotte and is part of the Pulitzer-finalist team that covered Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina. As the Observer’s breaking news reporter, she unveiled how fentanyl infiltrated local schools. Michigan-born and Florida-raised, she studied journalism at the University of Florida, where she covered statewide legislation, sexual assault on campus and Hurricane Ian in her hometown of Sanibel Island. Support my work with a digital subscription
An officer, searching for a man accused of trespassing, shot the suspect in the leg Monday, according to the Newton Police Department.
Police said authorities were looking for the man and a 911 caller said the suspect had a gun. Officers did not say if the suspect actually had a gun.
Authorities went to the Sandlewood Apartments at 705 Sandlewood Court in Newton, North Carolina, just before noon Monday about a man potentially trespassing.
As they were searching the area, police said the man came out from a shed behind the apartments and ran at officers. That’s when an officer shot the man in the leg, according to police.
The man was taken to the hospital, police said.
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting, which is standard protocol in police shootings. The officer who fired the shot is on administrative leave, officials said.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. —A groundstop was temporarily issued at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Saturday as snow created difficult conditions on the airport’s runways.
American Airlines canceled all of its flights in and out of Charlotte Saturday afternoon. According to FlightAware, more than 1,000 flights were canceled throughout the day. An American Airlines spokesperson said the weather created hazardous conditions on the runways and roads surrounding the airport.
What You Need To Know
A groundstop was temporarily issued at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Saturday
More than 1,000 flights were canceled
American Airlines canceled all of its flights in Charlotte Saturday afternoon
American Airlines hopes to resume flights Sunday morning
A 300-person team spent hours working to clear snow from the airport’s runways, taxiways, roads and sidewalks.
Flight cancellations created a headache for thousands of travelers.
“My day has been absolutely crazy,” Gwendolynn Hines said.
“It’s been a hectic combination of cancellations, rebookings and delay notices,” Matthew Spreg said.
Spreg started his travel journey in San Antonio Friday and was trying to make it home to Raleigh. After traveling for more than 24 hours and 17 flight changes and cancellations, he still had not made it back Saturday.
“[I’m] giving up on flights,” Spreg said. “I’m now trying to use Amtrak.”
Brad White flew from Indianapolis to Charlotte on his way to Turks and Caicos. He said the weather
“Once we got here in Charlotte, we were going to land and we were descending,” White said. “Right before we landed, we took back off again. So I guess there was something wrong with the landing strip that had too many planes on there. We landed finally. Then, we sat there for about two hours waiting to get off the flight because they didn’t have any gates for us to pull into.”
White and thousands of others spent the night in Charlotte Saturday hopeful they could continue their travel journey on Sunday.
An American Airlines spokesperson said they hope to resume flights Sunday morning.
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